so i deployed to iraq in support of operation iraqi freedom. so, yes, i think i probably would be a different person. would probably be not standing here talking to you today. >> reporter: by and large memorials tend to be places that are timeless. but it's been four years now since the pentagon memorial was dedicated, and you can trace the passages of those years at this place, especially with the many trees that were planted here. >> for me, the hearts and souls of the people who were killed are really in that building and with the flag and all of that. this is a place more for us to be able to contemplate what happened and still try to come to grips with it. >> reporter: those big questions, though, still lie ahead for some. six-year-old jonathan is still too young to fully understand this place and its meaning. >> i saw benches with people's names on them. >> reporter: did you like this place? >> yes. >> reporter: and like the people here on this 11th anniversary of the nine len attack, the pentagon memorial stands ready to tell its stories